church
[tʃˈɚtʃ] /ˈchərch/ (ame, mw) · /tʃɜːtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [tʃˈɚtʃ] /tʃɜːrtʃ/ (ame, ipa)
church — adjective
- churchpositive
- churchercomparative
- churchestsuperlative
1. connected with a church building or a church organization — used before a noun t
connected with a church building or a church organization — used before a noun to describe something that belongs to or is part of a church
The choir sang beautiful church music during the Easter service.
church + noun: church music
Noor admired the old church architecture while walking through the village.
Church law forbids the marriage of close relatives in many denominations.
There was a heated debate about church politics at the regional meeting.
Xiu helped organize the church garden sale to raise money for new benches.
- ecclesiastical
more formal; used in official writing about church structure or doctrine
- secular
not connected with religion or the church
文法句型
church + noun
2. related to the officially recognized state church in a country, especially the C
related to the officially recognized state church in a country, especially the Church of England
Church courts in England once had authority over marriage and inheritance cases.
church + noun: church courts
Zola wrote a detailed essay on church governance in Tudor England.
The church hierarchy opposed the new law on religious education.
Bishops hold authority over church property under the established system.
Parish records from the church register date back to the seventeenth century.
- ecclesiastical
formal; used for the institutional or official church
- civil
relating to the state rather than the established church
文法句型
church + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used before nouns that describe legal, political, or administrative matters (courts, property, hierarchy). This sense is more formal than sense 1.
常見錯誤
church — noun
- churchsingular
- churchesplural
1. a place of worship where Christians meet to pray, sing, and hold religious cerem
a place of worship where Christians meet to pray, sing, and hold religious ceremonies
The old stone church stood on the hilltop for over three hundred years.
Maeve walked past the church every morning on her way to school.
There is a small wooden church in the village with beautiful painted windows.
The church bells rang loudly to announce the start of the wedding.
Volunteers cleaned the church from floor to ceiling before the Christmas service.
文法句型
the + church
a + church
用法筆記
When used with no article ('go to church', 'at church'), this sense overlaps with sense 3 (SERVICE) — the building and the event are understood together.
常見錯誤
2. a particular Christian group with its own name, teachings, and leadership struct
a particular Christian group with its own name, teachings, and leadership structure — for example, the Catholic Church or the Methodist Church
The Anglican Church has millions of members in countries around the world.
the + proper name + Church
Kabir is studying the differences between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.
Each church in the Protestant tradition ordains its own ministers.
The Presbyterian Church split into two branches over the issue in the nineteenth century.
Lauren's family belongs to the Baptist Church, while her neighbours attend the local Methodist Church.
- denomination
a more general and neutral term for any named religious group within Christianity
- communion
formal; describes churches that share the same beliefs and recognize each other's leaders
文法句型
the + proper name + Church
用法筆記
Always preceded by 'the' when referring to a specific denomination by name ('the Catholic Church'). Also used without capitalisation for churches in general ('which church do you belong to?').
3. a religious ceremony held in a church building, usually on Sunday, that includes
a religious ceremony held in a church building, usually on Sunday, that includes prayers, songs, and a sermon
Eitan goes to church every Sunday morning with his grandmother.
go to church (no article)
We met at church and walked home together after the service ended.
The children sat quietly through church even though they were bored.
Henrik usually reads the newspaper after church on Sunday afternoons.
The early church service draws a smaller crowd than the main one at ten.
文法句型
go to church
at church
after church
用法筆記
In this sense the word is typically used without an article or determiner ('at church', 'after church'). When an article is added ('the church service'), the meaning shifts toward the specific event rather than the general practice.
常見錯誤
4. the Christian religion viewed as a single organized body with its leaders, follo
the Christian religion viewed as a single organized body with its leaders, followers, and traditions across the world
The Church has always placed great importance on charity and helping the poor.
the Church as institution
Throughout history the Church has both influenced and been shaped by political events.
Rodrigo's thesis examines the relationship between the early Church and the Roman Empire.
The Church teaches that all people are equal in the eyes of God.
Many reformers argued that the Church had become too focused on wealth and power.
- Christendom
archaic or literary; refers to the worldwide body of Christians and historically Christian countries
- the body of Christ
theological term found in Christian scripture; describes all believers as one spiritual body
文法句型
the Church
the + adjective + Church
用法筆記
Usually capitalised as 'the Church' when referring to the universal Christian institution. Distinguish from sense 2 (DENOMINATION), which names a specific group — here the reference is to the whole of Christianity across denominations.
5. the group of people who are officially appointed as ministers, priests, and othe
the group of people who are officially appointed as ministers, priests, and other leaders within a Christian organization
The church issued a statement on poverty signed by all the local priests.
the church as collective body of clergy
The church has spoken out against injustice many times throughout the decades.
The church appointed Isabela as the new pastor for the northern parish.
The church decided to open a new community centre for local young people.
When the bishop retired, the church appointed a temporary leader from a neighbouring diocese.
- clergy
the most direct synonym; refers to people ordained for religious duties
- priesthood
more specific; refers to priests collectively, especially in Catholic and Orthodox traditions
- laity
church members who are not clergy
文法句型
the church + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
In this sense 'the church' refers to the clergy as a collective body making decisions (compare 'the church decided', 'the church issued'). It can take a singular or plural verb depending on whether the group is seen as a unit or as individuals.
6. the people who regularly come together for worship at a specific church
the people who regularly come together for worship at a specific church
The whole church sang the hymn together with great energy and joy.
The church voted to install a new heating system before the winter.
the church as congregation votes/decides
Bao invited the entire church to a picnic in the park after the Sunday service.
The church welcomes everyone regardless of age, background, or experience.
Half the church stayed after the ceremony to help pack away the chairs and flowers.
- congregation
the most direct synonym; refers to the assembled group of worshippers
- flock
literary or biblical; emphasises the pastor's role as shepherd of the congregation
文法句型
the church + singular/plural verb
用法筆記
When 'the church' refers to people rather than a building or institution, the verb often describes collective actions (voted, welcomed, sang). This sense may overlap with sense 3 (SERVICE) — when people act together during worship, both meanings are in play.
常見錯誤
church — verb
- churchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- churches3rd person singular
- churching-ing form
- churchedpast simple
1. to bring someone to a church building so that a formal religious ceremony can be
to bring someone to a church building so that a formal religious ceremony can be performed for them — for example, a blessing after childbirth, a baptism, or a marriage blessing
In medieval England women were traditionally churched forty days after giving birth.
passive: be churched
Parish records show the infant was churched on the first Sunday of May.
The priest churched the couple in a quiet ceremony long after their civil wedding.
Piotr found a note saying his great-grandmother had been churched as a baby.
文法句型
church + object
be churched
用法筆記
This sense is now very rare in everyday English. You are most likely to encounter it in historical writing, parish records, or old literature. The most common collocation is 'to be churched', referring to the traditional ceremony of 'churching' women after childbirth.